Method For Transmitting Pilot Allocation Information To User Equipment In A Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output System

ABSTRACT

A method for transmitting pilot allocation information from a base station for reception by at least one of a plurality of mobile stations participating in a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication, the method including the steps of generating pilot allocation information for the one mobile station, and transmitting the pilot allocation information for reception by the one mobile station, wherein the pilot allocation information includes at least one of a total number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobile stations, an index k representing a first pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for a pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication, a number M of the pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station, and bitmap information indicating the pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among the plurality of pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2009-0044656, filed on May 21, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/143,150, filed on Jan. 7, 2009 and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/143,161, filed on Jan. 8, 2009, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a Multi-User Multiple Input MultipleOutput (MU-MIMO) communication, and more particularly, to a method fortransmitting pilot allocation information to a user and to a method ofreceiving such pilot allocation information at a user equipment.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Future-generation mobile communication and wireless transmission systemsare expected to employ a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)communication that uses a plurality of antennas for data transmission.The goal of future generation systems is to increase data rate andsystem capacity.

In a Single User Multiple Input Multiple Output (SU-MIMO) communication,a channel matrix H is formed between a Mobile Station (MS) with two ormore antennas and a Base Station (BS) with two or more antennas. Bycontrast, in a MU-MIMO communication, a channel matrix H is formedbetween two or more MSs each having one or more antennas and a single BSwith a plurality of antennas. The concept of uplink MU-MIMO isillustrated in FIG. 1.

Compared to first-generation MIMO communication systems based on thepremise that a plurality of pieces of information are transmittedthrough a plurality of antennas between a BS and a single user, MU-MIMOcommunication forms a Multiple Input Multiple Output SpatialMultiplexing (MIMO SM) matrix between a BS and a plurality of users, asillustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Derived from basic MIMO concepts, theMIMO SM channel matrix is improved because the values of its elementsare less correlated. Therefore, if multiple users are considered at agiven time, an improved channel matrix may be achieved because fewercorrelations are expected among the antennas of the users.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in SU-MIMO, the BS determines with which userit will form a 2×2 channel matrix at a given time to achieve the highestdata rate. For example, a MIMO operation with a first user, User-1, mayachieve a total data rate of 2.5 Mbps (=2.0+0.5), a MIMO operation witha second user, User-2, may achieve a total data rate of 2.0 Mbps(=1.5+0.5), and a MIMO operation with a third user, User-3, may achievea total data rate of 1.8 Mbps (=0.8+1.0). Accordingly, the BS operateswith User-1 in SU-MIMO as User-1 achieves the highest total data rate.

By contrast, in MU-MIMO, the data rate is determined according tosignals transmitted to different users through a plurality oftransmission antennas. For example, if the BS transmits signals toUser-1 and User-2, a total data rate of 3.5 Mbps (=2.0+1.5) may beachieved. However, even in a MU-MIMO system, if the data rate betweenthe BS and a single user at a given time is the highest data rate thatmay be achieved from among all possible user combinations, a MIMOoperation may be performed between the BS and the single user. In thiscontext, it may be said that MU-MIMO encompasses SU-MIMO.

A brief description will be made of a channel estimation method and apilot signal.

For detection of a synchronization signal, a receiver requires knowledgeof a radio channel (i.e., attenuation, phase shift, time delay, etc.).Channel estimation is the process of estimating the amplitude andreference phase of a carrier. In a wireless channel environmentexperiencing irregular changes of a channel over time in the time andfrequency domains, called “fading,” the amplitude and phase of thechannel are estimated. This is channel estimation. In other words,channel estimation is equivalent to estimation of the frequency responseof a radio interface or a radio channel.

For channel estimation, a reference value may be estimated using severalpilot symbols from the BS by means of a two-dimensional channelestimator. As the pilot symbols are intended to help carrier phasesynchronization and acquisition of BS information, they are transmittedat a high power level without carrying actual data. The transmitter andthe receiver may carry out channel estimation using such pilot symbols.Specifically, the pilot symbol-based channel estimation is to estimate achannel using pilot symbols known to both the transmitter and thereceiver and recover data based on the channel estimate.

Accordingly, the BS should notify each MS of pilot allocationinformation specifying pilots allocated to the MS in the MU-MIMO system.To this end, the MU-MIMO system needs additional signaling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method fortransmitting pilot allocation information to user equipment in amulti-user multiple input multiple output system and a method forreceiving such pilot allocation information at such user equipment thatsubstantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method forefficiently transmitting and receiving pilot allocation information in aMU-MIMO system.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the methodfor transmitting pilot allocation information to user equipment in amulti-user multiple input multiple output system includes a method fortransmitting pilot allocation information from a base station forreception by at least one of a plurality of mobile stationsparticipating in a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)communication, the method including the steps of generating pilotallocation information for the one mobile station, and transmitting thepilot allocation information for reception by the one mobile station,wherein the pilot allocation information includes at least one of atotal number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobilestations, an index k representing a first pilot stream of one or morepilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among a plurality ofpilot streams defined for a pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMOcommunication, a number M of the pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station, and bitmap information indicating the pilot streamsallocated to the one mobile station among the plurality of pilot streamsdefined for the pilot pattern.

In another aspect, the method for transmitting pilot allocationinformation to user equipment in a multi-user multiple input multipleoutput system includes a method for transmitting pilot allocationinformation from a base station for reception by at least one of aplurality of mobile stations participating in a Multi-User MultipleInput Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication, the method including thesteps of determining a total number K of pilot streams allocated to theplurality of mobile stations, determining an index k representing afirst pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for a pilotpattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication, determining a number Mof the pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station, andtransmitting information representing the determined K, k and M forreception by the one mobile station.

In another aspect, the method for transmitting pilot allocationinformation to user equipment in a multi-user multiple input multipleoutput system includes a method for using pilot allocation informationtransmitted from a base station at one of a plurality of mobile stationsin a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication,the method including the steps of receiving the pilot allocationinformation, and determining positions of pilots allocated to the onemobile station in a pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communicationbased on the pilot allocation information, wherein the pilot allocationinformation includes at least one of a total number K of pilot streamsallocated to the plurality of mobile stations, an index k representing afirst pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for the pilotpattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication, a number M of the pilotstreams allocated to the one mobile station, and bitmap informationindicating the pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station amongthe plurality of pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern.

In another aspect, the method for transmitting pilot allocationinformation to user equipment in a multi-user multiple input multipleoutput system includes a mobile station in a Multi-User Multiple InputMultiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication system with at least one basestation transmitting pilot allocation information and one or more othermobile stations, the mobile station including a receiver to receive thepilot allocation information, and a processing unit to determinepositions of pilots allocated to the mobile station in a pilot patternselected for the MU-MIMO communication based on the pilot allocationinformation, wherein the pilot allocation information includes at leastone of a total number K of pilot streams allocated to the mobile stationand the other mobile stations in the MU-MIMO communication, an index krepresenting a first pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocatedto the mobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for thepilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication, a number M of thepilot streams allocated to the mobile station, and bitmap informationindicating the pilot streams allocated to the mobile station among theplurality of pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern.

In another aspect, the method for transmitting pilot allocationinformation to user equipment in a multi-user multiple input multipleoutput system includes a base station in a Multi-User Multiple InputMultiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication system with a plurality ofmobile stations, the base station including a processing unit togenerate pilot allocation information for at least one of the pluralityof mobile stations, and a transmitter to transmit the pilot allocationinformation to the one mobile station, wherein the pilot allocationinformation includes at least one of a total number K of pilot streamsallocated to the plurality of mobile stations, an index k representing afirst pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for a pilotpattern selected for the MU-MIMO operation, a number M of the pilotstreams allocated to the one mobile station, and bitmap informationindicating the pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station amongthe plurality of pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates uplink Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output(MU-MIMO) communication;

FIG. 2 illustrates downlink MU-MIMO communication;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting pilotallocation information according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting pilotallocation information according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus which is applicable to a BSand a UE, for implementing the methods according to the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) is a scheme offorming a channel matrix between two or more users each having one ormore antennas and a single Base Station (BS) with a plurality ofantennas. Pilot symbols are used to estimate the channels between the BSand the users. For pilot symbol-based channel estimation, pilot symbolsare known to both a transmitter and a receiver. Therefore, the BSprovides users with pilot allocation information specifying pilotsallocated to the users.

Transmission of pilot allocation information to a user in a MU-MIMOsystem is described below.

The number of pilot streams supported in a frame may differ in pilotpatterns. A pilot pattern indicator is denoted by i. Then, P, is definedas the number of pilot streams supported by pilot pattern i. For thepurpose of explanation, it is assumed here that two pilot patterns areavailable, pilot pattern A satisfying P_(A)=2 and pilot pattern Bsatisfying P_(B)=4. Given a total of n users in the MU-MIMO system, theusers are denoted by MS₁, MS₂, . . . MS_(n), respectively. The number ofpilot streams allocated to a user in a pilot pattern is M_(n) and thetotal number of pilot streams allocated to all users is K. Pilotallocation information may be transmitted to each user in the followingmethods.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting pilotallocation information according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the BS determines the number ofpilot streams allocated to a user in a pilot pattern, M_(n), the totalnumber of pilot streams allocated to all users in the pilot pattern, K,and the index of the first of one or more pilot streams allocated to theuser among multiple pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern, k, instep 301. Then, the BS transmits information about the determined valuesK, M_(n) and k to the user in step 302.

The selection and allocation of a pilot pattern using K, M_(n) and k isdescribed below. First, the pilot pattern is automatically selectedbased on the value K. In particular, a pilot pattern supporting aminimum number of pilot streams is selected from among pilot patternseach supporting K or more pilot streams. If a pilot pattern supporting Kpilot streams is available, it is preferably selected. For example, ifK=3, which means that the total number of pilot streams allocated to allusers is 3, a pilot pattern supporting a smallest number of pilotstreams (e.g., pilot pattern B) is selected from among pilot patternseach supporting three or more pilot streams.

The user utilizes M_(n) pilot streams in total, starting from pilotstream k in the pilot streams allocated to the user in the selectedpilot pattern. The indexes of the pilot streams for the user are k tok+M_(n)−1. For example, if pilot pattern B is selected and pilot streamsexist for pilot stream 1 to pilot stream 4, the index of the first ofone or more pilot streams allocated to the user, k, may be set to 2 suchthat pilot stream 2 to pilot stream 2+M_(n)1 are used for the user.Therefore, when the BS transmits the values K, M_(n) and k to the user,the user may be aware of the selected pilot pattern and the pilotstreams allocated to the user in the pilot pattern based on the valuesK, M_(n) and k.

Embodiment 2

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, pilot allocation information is provided by use of the numberof pilot streams allocated to a user in a pilot pattern, M_(n), pilotpattern information, and the index of the first of the pilot streamsallocated to the user, k.

The pilot pattern, M_(n), is directly indicated to the user rather thanthe pilot pattern being automatically selected using the total number ofpilot streams allocated to all users, K. For example, if only two pilotpatterns A and B are available, pilot patterns A and B are distinguishedby 1 bit. Notably, the pilot streams for the user are determined to be kto k+M_(n)1 in the same manner as in the foregoing exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

If the values K, M_(n) or k can be implicitly determined from otherinformation in a MU-MIMO operation or do not necessarily depend onsystem implementation, the values K, M_(n) or k may not need to betransmitted. For instance, if M_(n) is fixed to 1 in the system, M_(n)may not be transmitted.

In Embodiment 1, if K is fixed, K need not be transmitted. For example,this is the case in the allocation of a tile-based Distributed ResourceUnit (DRU) on an uplink of Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.16m. Because IEEE 802.16m supports up to twostreams, the allocation of a tile-based DRU restricts K to 2, MU-MIMOnot being viable if K=1. As K is known simply from a MU-MIMO index inview of the nature of the allocated resources, it is not necessary totransmit K. If K=2 and M_(n)=2, this implies that two pilot streams areallocated to a single user and thus MU-MIMO may not be implemented.Therefore, if K=2, M_(n) is restricted to 1. In this case where K=2, auser MS_(n) needs only the index of the first of allocated pilotstreams, k, or an indication of an allocated pilot stream.

Also, when the BS is restricted to support two transmission antennas orup to two pilot streams, there is no need to transmit K because K isknown simply from a MU-MIMO index. Again, M_(n) is limited to 1.Therefore, only the index of the first pilot stream allocated to a userM_(n) or an indication of a pilot stream allocated to the user M_(n)needs to be transmitted. However, if a plurality of pilot patternssupporting two pilot streams is available, an index identifying a usedpilot pattern is also needed.

Meanwhile, the information K, M_(n) and k may be applied independently.For example, given only the information K and k, a user may use thespecific pilot stream allocated by the BS instead of M_(n) contiguouspilot streams even though the user is aware of the first pilot streamallocated to the user among a total of K pilot streams. To indicate theallocated pilot streams to the user, information about the differencesbetween the index k of the first allocated pilot stream and the indexesof the other allocated pilot streams may also be used.

Table 1 lists pilot allocation information available to a user M_(n),which is configured according to the number M_(n) of pilot streamsallocated to the user among pilot streams defined for a pilot pattern,the total number K of pilot streams allocated to all users in the pilotpattern, and the index k of the first of the pilot streams allocated tothe user M_(n).

TABLE 1 K M_(n) k Stream K = 2 M_(n) = 1 k = 0 use first pilot stream inpilot pattern A (second pilot stream in pilot pattern A shall be nulltransmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 1 use second pilot stream in pilot pattern A(first pilot stream in pilot pattern A shall be null transmission) K = 3M_(n) = 2 k = 0 use first and second pilot streams in pilot pattern B(third pilot stream in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission) M_(n)= 2 k = 1 use second and third pilot streams in pilot pattern B (firstpilot stream in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission) M_(n) = 1 k= 0 use first pilot stream in pilot pattern B (second and third pilotstreams in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 1use second pilot stream in pilot pattern B (first and third pilotstreams in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 2use third pilot stream in pilot pattern B (first and second pilotstreams in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission) K = 4 M_(n) = 3 k= 0 use first, second, and third pilot streams in pilot pattern B(fourth pilot stream in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission)M_(n) = 3 k = 1 use second, third, and fourth pilot streams in pilotpattern B (first pilot stream in pilot pattern B shall be nulltransmission) M_(n) = 2 k = 0 use first and second pilot streams inpilot pattern B (third and fourth pilot streams in pilot pattern B shallbe null transmission) M_(n) = 2 k = 1 use second and third pilot streamsin pilot pattern B (first and fourth pilot streams in pilot pattern Bshall be null transmission) M_(n) = 2 k = 2 use third and fourth pilotstreams in pilot pattern B (first and second pilot streams in pilotpattern B shall be null transmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 0 use first pilotstream in pilot pattern B (the other pilot streams in pilot pattern Bshall be null transmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 1 use second pilot stream inpilot pattern B (the other pilot streams in pilot pattern B shall benull transmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 2 use third pilot stream in pilotpattern B (the other pilot streams in pilot pattern B shall be nulltransmission) M_(n) = 1 k = 3 use fourth pilot stream in pilot pattern B(the other pilot streams in pilot pattern B shall be null transmission)

As can be noted from Table 1, pilot allocation information may beprovided to each user by transmitting K, M_(n) and k to the user. Inaddition, the user may be aware of a used pilot pattern and pilotstreams allocated to the user in the pilot pattern from the receivedvalues K, M_(n) and k.

Table 1 describes an exemplary MU-MIMO system supporting K=2, K=3 andK=4. Accordingly, one, two, or three pilot streams are allocated to auser in the exemplary MU-MIMO system. While four k values ranging from 0to 3 are available, their use is limited as illustrated in Table 1.

In addition, if K is restricted to 2 in a specific resource area of asystem (for example, up to two pilot streams are supported in IEEE802.16m or the system is configured to have two transmission antennas),only two pilot allocation cases are available. Accordingly, 1-bit pilotallocation information may be transmitted to a user.

Embodiment 3

While pilot allocation information is configured with K, M_(n) and k inTable 1, the pilot allocation information configuration may be furthersimplified. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmittingpilot allocation information according to a yet another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the BS determines the number of pilot streamsallocated to a user in a pilot pattern, M_(n), the total number of pilotstreams allocated to all users in the pilot pattern, K, and the index ofthe first of one or more pilot streams allocated to the user amongmultiple pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern, k, in step 401.Then, the BS assigns an index to pilot allocation information configuredwith the determined K, M_(n) and k in step 402. Then, the BS transmitsthe index to the user in step 403.

A total of 16 modes are defined in Table 1. The term “mode” indicates apilot pattern and pilot streams allocated to a user in the pilotpattern, determined by the user according to K, M_(n) and k mapped to anindex. Therefore, the BS may number the respective modes with indexes infour bits and provide an index as pilot allocation information to auser.

Table 2 is an exemplary re-configuration of the pilot allocationinformation configuration table shown in Table 1.

TABLE 2 Index K M_(n) k 0 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 0 3 3 2 1 4 3 1 0 5 3 1 16 3 1 2 7 4 3 0 8 4 3 1 9 4 2 0 10 4 2 1 11 4 2 2 12 4 1 0 13 4 1 1 14 41 2 15 4 1 3

When the system supports only four pilot streams, indexes 0 to 15 arerequired in Table 2. If the system supports up to two pilot streams, forexample, when the BS has two transmission antennas or a tile-based DRUis allocated to a MU-MIMO user, indexes 0 and 1 suffice instead ofindexes 0 to 15 listed in Table 2.

Accordingly, only available cases are extracted from the index-basedpilot allocation information configuration table depending on a systemsituation (e.g., overhead, maximum M_(n) value, or limited K value) anda new pilot allocation information configuration table may be made byre-numbering the extracted cases with indexes.

Table 3 illustrates an exemplary pilot allocation informationconfiguration table under the condition that K is restricted to 4 andM_(n) is 1 or 2. The seven cases listed in Table 3 may be represented bythree bits.

TABLE 3 Index K M_(n) k 0 4 2 0 1 4 2 1 2 4 2 2 3 4 1 0 4 4 1 1 5 4 1 26 4 1 3

If K or M_(n) has only one value or is implicitly known from anothersetting, it may not need to be provided. For example, if 4 is the onlyavailable K value and M_(n) is 1 or 2 in the MU-MIMO system, Table 3 maybe simplified as shown by Table 4. That is, when needed, a pilotallocation information configuration table may be re-configured byomitting unnecessary information.

TABLE 4 Index M_(n) k 0 2 0 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 0 4 1 1 5 1 2 6 1 3

In the case where a pilot allocation information configuration table ismade using indexes, if a user has knowledge of the contents of thetable, the BS has to transmit only a specific index to the user so thatthe user determines a used pilot pattern and pilot streams allocated tothe user in the pilot pattern by the index.

Alternatively, the allocated pilot streams may be indicated by a bitmap.If four pilot streams are available, allocated pilot streams may beindicated in 4 bits. For example, if the bitmap is set to ‘1100’, thismay indicate that pilot streams 0 and 1 are allocated to the user and ifthe bitmap is set to ‘0110’, this may indicate that pilot streams 1 and2 are allocated to the user.

If multiple pilot patterns are available, the use of a bitmap requiresprior knowledge of a selected pilot pattern. Accordingly, the selectedpilot pattern is directly signaled or indicated by K. If K is 3, threepilot streams are used for all MU-MIMO users and thus a 3-bit bitmap isrequired. If the system uses a fixed bit area, the size of a bitmap isequal to a maximum K value and unused bits starting from its LeastSignificant Bit (LSB) or Most Significant Bit (MSB) may be reserved.

The above-described methods for transmitting pilot allocationinformation are applicable to downlink MU-MIMO as well as uplinkMU-MIMO. Upon receipt of data and pilot allocation information from theBS, a user determines its channel status using pilots indicated by thepilot allocation information and decodes the data based on the channelstatus. In the uplink MU-MIMO, the user transmits data and pilotallocation information to the BS. Then, the BS determines its channelstatus using pilots indicated by the pilot allocation information anddecodes the data based on the channel status.

As is apparent from the above description, pilot allocation informationis efficiently transmitted to a user equipment in a MU-MIMO systemaccording to the present invention. The present invention is applicableto a MS or a network entity in a wireless access system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus which is applicable to a BSand a UE, for implementing the methods according to the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an apparatus 500 includes a processor unit 510, amemory unit 520, a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 530, a display unit 540,and a User Interface (UI) unit 550. The processor unit 510 takes chargeof physical interface protocol layers and provides a control plane and auser plane. The processor unit 510 may also perform the functionalitiesof each layer. The memory unit 520 is electrically connected to theprocessor unit 510 and stores an operating system, application programs,and general files. If the apparatus 530 is a UE, the display unit 540may display a variety of information and may be implemented with a knownLiquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), orthe like. The UI unit 550 may be configured in combination with a knownUI like a keypad, a touch screen, etc. The RF unit 530 is electricallyconnected to the processor unit 540, for transmitting and receiving RFsignals.

In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a description hasbeen made of a data transmission and reception relationship between a BSand a user. The term ‘BS’ refers to a terminal node of a network whichcommunicates directly with the user. In some instances, an operationdescribed as performed by the BS may be performed by an upper node ofthe BS. In other words, in a network comprised of a plurality of networknodes including a BS, various operations performed for communicationwith a user may be performed by the BS, or network nodes other than theBS. The term ‘BS’ may be replaced with the term ‘fixed station’, ‘NodeB’, ‘eNode B (eNB)’, ‘access point’, etc.

The term ‘user’ corresponds to a Mobile Station (MS) and “MS” may bereplaced with the term ‘User Equipment (UE)’, ‘Subscriber Station (SS)’,‘Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS)’, ‘mobile terminal’, etc. In addition,the MS (or terminal) may be any of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), acellular phone, a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a GlobalSystem for Mobile (GSM) phone, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA) phone, a Mobile Broadband System (MBS) phone, etc.

A transmitter means a node that transmits voice or data service and areceiver means a node that receives voice or data service. Accordingly,an MS may be a transmitter and a BS may be a receiver, on uplink.Likewise, the MS may be a receiver and the BS may be a transmitter, ondownlink.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be achieved byvarious means, for example, hardware, firmware, software, or acombination thereof.

In a hardware configuration, the methods for transmitting pilotallocation information according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention may be achieved by one or more Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital SignalProcessing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc.

In a firmware or software configuration, the methods according to theexemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in theform of a module, procedure, function, or the like performing theabove-described functions or operations. A software code may be storedin a memory unit and executed by a processor. The memory unit is locatedat the interior or exterior of the processor and may transmit andreceive data to and from the processor via various known means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the method for transmittingpilot allocation information to user equipment in a multi-user multipleinput multiple output system of the present invention without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that thepresent invention cover the modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A method for transmitting pilot allocation information from a basestation for reception by at least one of a plurality of mobile stationsparticipating in a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)communication, the method comprising the steps of: generating pilotallocation information for the one mobile station; and transmitting thepilot allocation information for reception by the one mobile station,wherein the pilot allocation information includes at least one of atotal number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobilestations, an index k representing a first pilot stream of one or morepilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among a plurality ofpilot streams defined for a pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMOcommunication, a number M of the pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station, and bitmap information indicating the pilot streamsallocated to the one mobile station among the plurality of pilot streamsdefined for the pilot pattern.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communicationsupports at least the total number K of pilot streams allocated to theplurality of mobile stations.
 3. The method according to claim 2,wherein if two or more pilot patterns corresponding to the total numberK of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobile stations areavailable for selection, the pilot allocation information furtherincludes information indicating the selected one of the two or morepilot patterns.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a total of Mpilot streams, including the k-th pilot stream, are allocated to the onemobile station.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a total of Mcontiguous pilot streams, including the k-th pilot stream, are allocatedto the one mobile station.
 6. The method according to claim 1, whereinif two or more pilot streams are allocated to the one mobile station,the pilot allocation information further includes information indicatingdifferences of the index k of the first pilot stream allocated to theone mobile station and indexes of remaining pilot streams allocated tothe one mobile station, starting from a second pilot stream.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap information includes Kbits.
 8. A method for transmitting pilot allocation information from abase station for reception by at least one of a plurality of mobilestations participating in a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output(MU-MIMO) communication, the method comprising the steps of: determininga total number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobilestations; determining an index k representing a first pilot stream ofone or more pilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among aplurality of pilot streams defined for a pilot pattern selected for theMU-MIMO communication; determining a number M of the pilot streamsallocated to the one mobile station; and transmitting informationrepresenting the determined K, k and M for reception by the one mobilestation.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the pilot patternselected for the MU-MIMO operation supports at least the total number Kof pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobile stations.
 10. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein a total of M pilot streams,including a k-th pilot stream in the pilot pattern, are allocated to theone mobile station.
 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein theinformation representing the determined K, k and M is an index valuespecifying the determined K, k and M.
 12. A method for using pilotallocation information transmitted from a base station at one of aplurality of mobile stations in a Multi-User Multiple Input MultipleOutput (MU-MIMO) communication, the method comprising the steps of:receiving the pilot allocation information; and determining positions ofpilots allocated to the one mobile station in a pilot pattern selectedfor the MU-MIMO communication based on the pilot allocation information,wherein the pilot allocation information includes at least one of atotal number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobilestations, an index k representing a first pilot stream of one or morepilot streams allocated to the one mobile station among a plurality ofpilot streams defined for the pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMOcommunication, a number M of the pilot streams allocated to the onemobile station, and bitmap information indicating the pilot streamsallocated to the one mobile station among the plurality of pilot streamsdefined for the pilot pattern.
 13. The method according to claim 12,wherein the pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communicationsupports at least the total number K of pilot streams allocated to theplurality of mobile stations.
 14. The method according to 13, wherein iftwo or more pilot patterns corresponding to the total number K of pilotstreams allocated to the plurality of mobile stations are available forselection, the pilot allocation information further includes informationindicating the selected one of the two or more pilot patterns.
 15. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein a total of M pilot streams,including a k-th pilot stream, are allocated to the one mobile station.16. The method according to claim 12, wherein a total of M contiguouspilot streams, including a k-th pilot stream, are allocated to the onemobile station.
 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein if two ormore pilot streams are allocated to the one mobile station, the pilotallocation information further includes information indicatingdifferences of the index k of the first pilot stream allocated to theone mobile station and indexes of remaining pilot streams allocated tothe one mobile station, starting from a second pilot stream.
 18. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein the bitmap information includes Kbits.
 19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the stepsof: receiving a pilot signal transmitted by the base station; andestimating a radio channel between the base station and the one mobilestation using the positions of pilots allocated to the one mobilestation and the received pilot signal.
 20. The method according to claim12, further comprising the step of transmitting a pilot signal at thepositions of pilots allocated to the one mobile station for reception bythe base station.
 21. A mobile station in a Multi-User Multiple InputMultiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication system with at least one basestation transmitting pilot allocation information and one or more othermobile stations, the mobile station comprising: a receiver to receivethe pilot allocation information; and a processing unit to determinepositions of pilots allocated to the mobile station in a pilot patternselected for the MU-MIMO communication based on the pilot allocationinformation, wherein the pilot allocation information includes at leastone of a total number K of pilot streams allocated to the mobile stationand the other mobile stations in the MU-MIMO communication, an index krepresenting a first pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocatedto the mobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined for thepilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication, a number M of thepilot streams allocated to the mobile station, and bitmap informationindicating the pilot streams allocated to the mobile station among theplurality of pilot streams defined for the pilot pattern.
 22. The mobilestation according to claim 21, wherein the pilot pattern selected forthe MU-MIMO communication supports at least the total number K of pilotstreams allocated to the mobile station and the other mobile stations.23. The mobile station according to claim 22, wherein if two or morepilot patterns corresponding to the total number K of pilot streamsallocated to the mobile station and the other mobile stations areavailable for selection, the pilot allocation information furtherincludes information indicating the selected one of the two or morepilot patterns.
 24. The mobile station according to claim 21, wherein atotal of M pilot streams, including a k-th pilot stream, are allocatedto the mobile station.
 25. The mobile station according to claim 21,wherein a total of M contiguous pilot streams, including a k-th pilotstream, are allocated to the mobile station.
 26. The mobile stationaccording to claim 21, wherein if two or more pilot streams areallocated to the mobile station, the pilot allocation informationfurther includes information indicating differences of the index krepresenting the first pilot stream allocated to the mobile station andindexes of remaining pilot streams allocated to the mobile station,starting from a second pilot stream.
 27. The mobile station according toclaim 21, wherein the bitmap information includes K bits.
 28. The mobilestation according to claim 21, wherein: the receiver is also configuredto receive a pilot signal transmitted from the base station; and theprocessing unit is also configured to estimate a radio channel betweenthe base station and the mobile station using the positions of pilotsallocated to the mobile station and the received pilot signal.
 29. Themobile station according to claim 21, further comprising a transmitterto transmit a pilot signal at the positions of pilots allocated to themobile station to the base station.
 30. A base station in a Multi-UserMultiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) communication system with aplurality of mobile stations, the base station comprising: a processingunit to generate pilot allocation information for at least one of theplurality of mobile stations; and a transmitter to transmit the pilotallocation information to the one mobile station, wherein the pilotallocation information includes at least one of a total number K ofpilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobile stations, an index krepresenting a first pilot stream of one or more pilot streams allocatedto the one mobile station among a plurality of pilot streams defined fora pilot pattern selected for the MU-MIMO operation, a number M of thepilot streams allocated to the one mobile station, and bitmapinformation indicating the pilot streams allocated to the one mobilestation among the plurality of pilot streams defined for the pilotpattern.
 31. The base station according to claim 30, wherein the pilotpattern selected for the MU-MIMO communication supports at least thetotal number K of pilot streams allocated to the plurality of mobilestations.
 32. The base station according to claim 31, wherein if two ormore pilot patterns corresponding to the total number K of pilot streamsallocated to the plurality of mobile stations are available forselection, the pilot allocation information further includes informationindicating the selected one of the two or more pilot patterns.
 33. Thebase station according to claim 30, wherein a total of M pilot streams,including a k-th pilot stream, are allocated to the one mobile station.34. The base station according to claim 30, wherein a total of Mcontiguous pilot streams, including a k-th pilot stream, are allocatedto the one mobile station.
 35. The base station according to claim 30,wherein if two or more pilot streams are allocated to the mobilestation, the pilot allocation information further includes informationindicating differences of the index k representing the first pilotstream allocated to the one mobile station and indexes of remainingpilot streams allocated to the one mobile station, starting from asecond pilot stream.
 36. The base station according to claim 30, whereinthe bitmap information includes K bits.